Rafael Betancourt stopped Troy Tulowitzki in midsentence Thursday. The Rockies’ shortstop couldn’t believe the rattail in the pitcher’s hair, joking in broken Spanish with him about it.

It made him look younger, his “Outsiders” type coif. Betancourt feels ageless, and the Rockies apparently agree. With the closer already under contract for this season, the Rockies picked up his $4.25 million mutual option for 2013 and added a club option at the same salary for 2014, according to multiple sources with direct knowledge of the talks. The deal is pending a physical.

Betancourt, 36, enters spring training as the Rockies’ closer. He was efficient in the role after taking over for an injured Huston Street in early August, converting 8-of-9 save attempts. The Rockies felt confident enough in Betancourt to trade Street to the Padres in December. The challenge for the right-hander is repeating his success. He has never held a closer’s job in the beginning of a season.

“I believe he will be fine. He does everything possible to be ready,” Tulowitzki said. “And he competes. I love playing behind him.”

De La Rosa on track. Starter Jorge De La Rosa is already throwing off a mound, eight months removed from elbow ligament surgery. He admitted his elbow began hurting last April and he pitched through the pain, believing it was just tightness.

“They have told me to take my time, that they aren’t going to rush me. But I believe I can be back in the big leagues in May,” he said.

CarGo feeling fit. Outfielder Carlos Gonzalez is lighter and stronger, conceding his training has gone much better this offseason without the media and contract distractions of last winter. “There’s no comparison,” he said. “I feel like I did going into the 2010 season. I am hungry.” And for his move back to left field? “The best thing that can happen to me is Dexter (Fowler) playing 162 games. I will be prepared to play all three positions, but it’s better if I stay in one spot.”

Footnotes. Rookie Drew Pomeranz believes last September’s struggles will help him. He learned to pitch without his best stuff, working with a fastball that was roughly 90 mph, compared to 95 mph in the spring, and a sloppy curveball. “My fastball was cutting and moving. It’s not about velo. I thought I did well under the circumstances, and that only helps my confidence.” … Rockies pitcher Kevin Slowey will attend FanFest, just days after he was pictured Thursday at the summit of Mount Kilimanjaro, having hiked the 19,340 vertical feet with Mets knuckleballer R.A. Dickey.